Article Source: Retired generals say young Americans are too fat and it’s a national security issue | American Military NewsAmerican Military News
A group of retired U.S. military admirals and generals is warning that too many Americans are overweight, poorly educated, or otherwise ineligible for service and it represents a “significant threat” to America’s ability to recruit new troops.
Mission: Readiness, a non-partisan group consisting of nearly 800 retired U.S. admirals and generals, recently sent a letter to acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller, calling on the Department of Defense to address the major issues preventing 71 percent of Americans between the ages of 17 and 24 from being eligible to serve.
“As you know, 71 percent of young Americans between the ages of 17 and 24 are currently ineligible for military service, primarily because they are too poorly educated, too overweight, or have a history of crime or substance
abuse,” Mission: Readiness’ Dec. 17 letter reads. The letter was signed by retired U.S. Air Force Gen. William M. Fraser, III and retired U.S. Coast Guard Adm. James M. Loy.
A 2018 report by the Heritage Foundation found 71 percent of Americans between 17 and 24 are ineligible to serve, based on Pentagon data and service standards.
“These factors largely fall outside of the Department of Defense’s purview, but have an immense impact on the ability of the military to recruit new servicemembers as well as a significant monetary impact on the Department,” the group’s letter continues. “Without coordinated action, these trends pose a significant threat to the future of the all-volunteer force.”
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